Film Screening 9th August, 2018

Latin American Film Festival: Opening Night

Presented in partnership with the Latin American Embassies in Australia and the Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies (ANCLAS)

The ANU Film Group is proud to be hosting the 14th Latin American Film Festival in 2018. It begins tonight with Mexico's entry – Good Day, Ramón – and screens until Monday 27 August, featuring 14 films, each presented by a different Latin American country.

All screenings are FREE and will screen with English subtitles. Please note that presentation quality of the Latin American Film Festival screenings may differ from the ANU Film Group's regular screenings due to the variety of film sources (Blu-Ray, DVD, digital files) being supplied by the Embassies.

Screening times vary. See below – or go to www.facebook.com/LAFF208 – for a full listing of films:

The heartwarming story of a young man from a small Mexican town travels to Germany to find work, but struggles to survive on the streets until he meets Ruth, a German senior citizen with whom he develops a touching friendship that transcends borders and prejudices.

60 years after the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia, a former soldier discovers that he is dying from cancer. He is visited by the granddaughter of a soldier he fought alongside during the war, and reluctantly embarks with her on a trip to unearth memories and secrets.

A young Peruvian engineer seeks to connect the Amazon rainforest with the rest of Peru, but unexpected events take him to Europe, where he finds love and a new purpose. When he returns to Peru years later, he brings with him all that he learnt on the Old Continent.

Mario Sabah dreams of travelling the world with his children in their car. This documentary follows Mario's extraordinary journey as he follows his dream over the course of four years, and through 45 countries, without financial support or sophisticated equipment.

The mayor of a small town in the south of Venezuela longs to bring recognition to his home. One night, a spirit appears and convinces him and his townspeople to place their hopes in a young child, imposing on him the task of bringing fame and fortune to their community.

Gloria is a young lawyer who risks everything she has worked for when she goes up against the justice system to defend a man accused of a rape in a small Argentinian town where no one believes his story – possibly not even Gloria.

Young musician Luiz Gonzaga, the King of the Baião, leaves his wife and new son behind to take his music on the road – a decision which results in a ongoing, complicated relationship with his son, Gonzaguinha, who grows up to also become one of Brazil's most popular musical icons.

Lonely Victoria receives an unexpected visit from her estranged daughter, asking her to take care of Nicole, her seven-year-old granddaughter, for a few days. Victoria agrees, and what follows is a life-changing experience for both grandmother and granddaughter.

An insecure painter finds his fragile world rocked by devastating news. Desperately seeking comfort, he is guided by his subconscious on a surreal journey through madness and illusion to overcome his childhood traumas and retake control of his life.

A look at the eventful life of famed Cuban musician Benny Moré, beginning in the 1950s with the mambo king at the top of his game. He soon parts ways with his longtime orchestra to form a new group, and before long finds himself struggling to cope with his stratospheric fame.

Crossing the line between fact and fiction, this documentary explores the life and works of Marcelo Chiriboga, the internationally renowned Ecuadorian writer and member of the "boom" generation – who remains unknown in his own country due to censorship.

Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated on March 24, 1980, while celebrating a Mass in El Salvador. This documentary explores the controversial canonisation process initiated by Pope Francis in 2013, which continues to divide the ecclesiastical institutions.

In the 1980s, a terrorist bombing in Guatemala causes young Teresa to lose her mother, as well as her ability to hear. Her father initially struggles to care for her alone, but as she grows older, he becomes her safe haven from an unforgiving world.

Andre is a travel writer living an exciting international life, who is now back in Santiago catching up with friends at party. As the night goes on, it becomes clear that a tragic event binds these friends together, and was the reason for Andre's departure from Chile many years ago.